SHOPPING TROLLEY EQUIPPED WITH A LIFTABLE BASKET

Technical field

This patent application for industrial invention relates to a shopping trolley equipped with a liftable basket.

Background art

The distinctive features and advantages of the invention are more apparent after a brief description of the prior art and the relative drawbacks.

As is known, there are two main types of shopping trolleys, both mainly designed to be used by supermarket customers.

On the one hand, there are the prior art trolleys equipped with a entirely metal structure, in the context of which there is a frame mounted on wheels, and equipped with a handle, at the top of which is supported a basket formed by grid-like metallic panels.

A trolley of this type is particularly functional and convenient to use, not only due to the fact that it has a considerable load capacity, but also because the above-mentioned basket is supported at a height such as to allow an easy picking up of the goods loaded inside it, that is to say, without the respective user being forced to bend over too much to perform such an operation.

The second type of trolley used in supermarkets is represented by those equipped with a structure made entirely-of plastic material and specifically designed to be used for purchasing a limited quantity of products.

Each of these trolleys consists simply of a basket equipped on the bottom with two/four small wheels and an extendable gripping handle.

In effect, the basket provided on such a trolley is substantially designed to slide "close to the ground" and precisely for this reason must be provided with a handle which can be extended, thanks to which the user can push or pull the trolley, whilst remaining in a substantially upright position whilst walking.

The further advantageous feature claimed by this type of trolley is linked to the fact that it adopts a basket equipped with a profile tapered from the top downwards - substantially in accordance with that of a typical hopper - which allows them to be stacked inside each other, whilst they are not being used.

In spite of their widespread use, it should also be noted that trolleys of this kind are penalised by the fact that they create a considerable inconvenience for the respective users, especially when the latter must pick up the contents, possibly for placing them at the checkout when paying.

Considering, in effect, that the basket of these trolleys remains substantially at the height of the ground, it is easy to understand how the user can perform the above-mentioned complete emptying of the relative trolley only by bending repeatedly and considerably towards the ground, until reaching the bottom of the trolley with their hands.

But, in reality, such a technology is conditioned negatively even by a further drawback, expressly linked to the above-mentioned profile of the basket which is tapered downwards, precisely in order to make each trolley stackable with other identical trolleys.

It may be said that the basket of each of these trolleys has a bottom panel equipped with a surface which is much smaller than that of the upper opening and, consequently, the side panels are significantly inclined outwardly as they extend from the bottom upwards.

This means that, when the basket of such a trolley is filled with products, the majority of the inner load is concentrated towards the top zone, due to the greater amplitude of the latter, with the result of shifting the barycentre of the entire trolley significantly upwards.

It goes without saying that this condition means that the trolley becomes easily subject to overturning, possibly when its forward movements is carried out on a surface which is not perfectly flat or when it suffers external interference, due possibly to impact against an obstacle.

Disclosure of the invention

The careful assessment of the two drawbacks mentioned has provided the staring point for preparation of this invention, which, in fact, has been found to overcome them both.

With reference to one of the above-mentioned drawbacks, that is, the inconvenience for the users when they must empty the basket of a trolley, which remains close to the ground, this has been resolved by equipping the trolley according to the invention with a liftable basket, that is to say, which is able to move from a lower limit position, close to the ground, to an upper limit position, at an appreciable height relative to the ground.

In order to actuate such a solution, the trolley is provided with a load- bearing structure which is independent of the respective basket and, more precisely, the load-bearing structure is formed by a substantially rectangular platform, provided with sliding wheels.

The trolley also comprises lifting means comprising a vertical frame, projecting from one of the edges of the above-mentioned platform.

The vertical frame ensures the support and the vertical sliding of a basket between a lower limit position, wherein the basket is proximal to the platform, and an upper limit position, wherein the basket is distal from the platform.

Stop means ensure the stabilisation of the above-mentioned basket at the above-mentioned upper limit position.

According to a second embodiment, the lifting means comprise a pantograph mechanism, connected below the rectangular platform and above the basket.

In such a context, the basket of the trolley according to the invention can move from a lower limit position, in a condition wherein the relative bottom panel is close to or resting on the above-mentioned platform, to an upper limit position, in a condition wherein there is a considerable distance between the bottom panel of the basket and the above-mentioned platform.

It is clear that the possibility of moving the above-mentioned basket of the trolley according to the invention to the upper limit condition ensures that the user is able to easily empty the entire contents of the basket, without having to carry out those above-mentioned repeated bending movements towards the ground which are so inconvenient especially for the more elderly users of the corresponding traditional trolleys.

It is equally clear that the respective user, as soon as such an emptying operation has been performed, can again move the basket to the lower limit position, wherein there is certainly greater stability of the entire trolley during its forward movement.

With regard to this specific problem, that is, the considerable tendency towards overturning of the traditional trolley during its forward movement with full load, it should be noted that the trolley according to this invention is also able to claim a stability which is considerably greater than that of the traditional stackable trolleys, even though they are similarly equipped with a basket which has a profile tapered from the top downwards.

This advantageous feature derives from the fact that it adopts, at the sides of the above-mentioned lower platform, four "stretchable" wheels, that is to say, mounted at the end of respective substantially horizontal arms which can be pulled out from the above-mentioned platform, according to a substantially radial direction.

A similar feature is naturally needed in order to widen the supporting base of the entire trolley, in such a way that the perimeter of the relative supporting surface is no longer delimitated by the four sides of the above- mentioned rectangular platform, but by the lines which connect virtually the four above-mentioned wheels, at the moment the respective arms are entirely withdrawn from the platform. Brief description of the drawings

For greater clarity, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided by way of example only and without limiting the scope of the invention, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic axonometric rear view of the trolley according to this invention with the respective basket in the lower limit position;

- Figure 2 is similar to the previous drawing, but shows the trolley in question viewed from the front;

- Figure 3 is a rear view of the trolley of Figures 1 and 2 with the basket in its upper limit position;

- Figures 4 and 5 are cross section views of a portion of the trolley of Figures 1 to 3, wherein a wheel of the trolley is respectively in a distal position and in a proximal position relative to the platform of the load- bearing structure;

- Figure 6 is an axonometric view of a plurality of trolleys according to the invention, stacked on top of each other, in which a portion of a basket has been removed to show the wheel in the proximal position;

- Figure 7 is a side view of a preferred variant embodiment of the trolley according to the invention;

- Figure 8 is an axonometric view from below of a second embodiment of the trolley according to the invention in its upper limit position;

- Figure 9 is a side view of the trolley of Figure 8.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference -to Figures 1 -to 3 the- trolley (100)-according to this- invention has a basket (1 ) usually equipped with a profile tapered from the top downwards.

More specifically, the basket (1) has a rectangular bottom panel (2) from the lateral edges of which project upwards four side panels (3) having a divergent trend, at the top of which there is an enlarged perimeter edge (4) which constitutes the upper opening of the basket (1). The joint between the bottom panel (2) and the side panels (3) results in the formation of a compartment (V) designed to contain the products, which can be inserted and withdrawn through the upper opening delimited by the enlarged edge (4).

It should also be noted that the above-mentioned tapered profile of the basket (1) is justified by the need to make more than one trolley (100) stackable inside each other.

In this regard, it should be noted that the enlarged top edge (4), which is also equipped with a rectangular profile, protrudes briefly relative to the outer surface of the vertical side panels (3).

In the context of this enlarged edge (4) it is possible to identify an upper surface (4a) and a lower surface (4b).

When two trolleys (100) are stacked inside each other, the lower surface (4b) of the box-shaped edge (4) of the basket (1) of the trolley (100) which occupies the upper position moves close to the upper surface (4a) of the corresponding box-shaped edge (4) of the basket (1 ) of the trolley (100) which occupies the lower position.

As mentioned, such a basket (1) is designed to operate in conjunction with a load-bearing structure (S) formed by a substantially rectangular platform (5).

The trolley (100) comprises a plurality of wheels (6) connected to the platform (5).

The wheels (6) roll on the ground to move the trolley (100). More specifically, there are four wheels and each is positioned at a respective corner of the platform (5).

The trolley (100) also comprises lifting means (M) comprising a vertical frame (7) projecting upwards substantially to the height of the rear longitudinal edge (5a) of the platform (5).

The frame (7) comprises two tubes (8), open at the top, which are equipped, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, with a rectangular cross section. The two vertical tubes (8) are designed to house exactly and in a slidable fashion two corresponding rods (9), the upper ends (9a) of which are inserted and blocked, protruding above, inside respective through vertical holes (4c) made on the enlarged edge (4) of the basket (1) at a special thinned stretch (4d) provided at the centre of the rear longitudinal edge of the enlarged edge (4).

The thinned stretch (4d) of the edge (4) acts as a gripping means for the user to move the basket (1 ) from the lower limit position to the upper limit position.

The upper ends (9a) of the rods (9) are connected, at a height greater than that occupied by the enlarged edge (4) of the basket (1), by a crosspiece (10) designed to act as a handle for moving the entire trolley (100).

In effect, the above-mentioned integral fixing between the upper ends (9a) of the rods (9) and the enlarged edge (4) of the basket (1 ) ensures that the alternate strokes which are imposed on the rod (9) also cause an integral movement of the entire basket (1 ).

A comparison of Figures 1 and 3 shows the possible alternative configurations adopted by the basket (1 ), thanks to its above-mentioned capacity to slide alternately vertically.

Figure 1 shows the basket (1) in its lower limit position, when, that is to say, the relative bottom panel (2) is proximal to the upper surface of the platform (5); Figure 3 shows the same basket (1) in its upper limit position, which is more favourable for introducing or removing the products contained inside it, that is to say, when the relative bottom panel (2) is positioned distal from the platform (5).

In this regard, it should also be noted that the basket (1 ) is equipped, at the relative rear panel (3a) and close to the bottom panel (2), with a horizontal bracket (11 ) which has, at both ends, respective seats substantially C-shaped (11a), each of which is designed to contain exactly one of the vertical tubes (8) of the vertical frame (7). A similar exact coupling between each of the C-shaped ends (11a) of the bracket (11) and one of the vertical tubes (8) ensures that the bracket (11 ) can slide alternately, guided on the outside of the two tubes (8) during the alternate strokes of the basket (1 ), with the effect of stabilising perfectly the alignment of the latter, so as to ensure, during its raising and lowering, the possibility of always maintaining an alignment perfectly parallel to itself.

Between the two tubes (8) there is also a vertical cylindrical rod (12), the lower end (12a) of which is fixed to the platform (5), whilst the relative upper end (12b) is inserted inside a corresponding through hole (11b) made in the centre of the bracket (11 ) fixed to the basket (1 ).

This means that, during the alternate strokes of the basket(1), the upper end (12b) of the rod (12) can protrude to different extents above bracket (11 ).

In effect, when the basket (1 ) has reached its upper limit position, the upper end (12b) of the rod (12) extends very briefly above the bracket (11); this is due to the fact that the bracket (11) is positioned almost to the top of the two tubes (8); as may be seen in Figure 3.

When, on the other hand, the basket (1) reaches its lower limit position, the rod (12) protrudes almost for its full height above the bracket (11), since the latter is moved in the meantime substantially to the height of the lower ends of the two tubes (8); as may be seen in Figure 1.

The trolley (100) according to the invention also comprises stop means (35) designed to ensure that the basket (1) remains blocked in the above- mentioned upper limit point, shown in Figure 3.

The stop means (35) may be of the automatic type or can be activated/deactivated manually by the user.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the stop means (35) are provided at the vertical rod (12), since the upper end (12b) of the latter is able to engage with the bracket (11), possibly with a bayonet coupling, when the basket (1) reaches the upper limit position. If the stop means (35) can be operated manually, the trolley (100) comprises means (36) for actuating the stop means (35), designed for controlling the disengagement of the stop means (35) relative to the rod (12a).

In other words, the operator acting on the actuator means (36) controls the disengaging of the stop means (35) relative to the rod (12a).

The disengaging of the stop means (35) on the rod (12a) allows the operator of moving the basket (1 ) of the trolley (100) from the upper limit position to the lower limit position.

The actuator means (36) comprise a rod (37) whose end (37a) extends, protruding, beyond the edge (4) of the basket (1 ) in such a way as to be accessible by an operator.

The rod (37) is parallel to the rod (12).

The end of the rod (37a) is located preferably along the enlarged edge (4) of the basket (1) in the zone under the handle (10), in particular at the thinned stretch (4d) of the enlarged edge (4).

The rod (37) passes through the bracket (11 ) through a respective through hole (38).

The rod (37) is connected to the stop means (35) in such a way as to control the disengagement of the stop means (35) on the rod (12a) and thus allowing the free sliding of the basket (1) from the upper limit position to the lower limit position.

In practice, if the operator presses on the upper end (37a) of the rod (37) the latter lowers towards the platform (5). This movement is such as to controUhe disengagementof the stop means-(35) on the rod (12a).

At this point, the operator may move the basket (1) from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, for example by pressing on the thinned stretch (4d) of the edge (4) of the basket (1 ).

In an embodiment not illustrated, alternative stop means (35) can, however, be provided in the direction of the frame (7) and the crosspiece- handle (10). For example, the stop means (35) may comprise pins or protrusions, subject to the action of a spring, provided in the rods (9) of the handle (10), as well as equipped with the capacity of automatically engaging in slits provided in the tubes (8) of the vertical frame (7), for locking the movement of the handle (10) relative to the vertical frame (7), when the basket (1) of the trolley (100) moves to its upper limit position.

When the user then presses the spring-loaded pin, the sliding of the handle (10) relative to the vertical frame (7) is again enabled.

As mentioned above, the further feature of the trolley (100) according to the invention consists in the fact that each of its wheels (6), those applied to the platform (5), are mounted at the end of a substantially horizontal arm (32), designed to come out progressively from a respective seat (20) made in the thickness of the platform (5).

A similar feature allows the user to widen the supporting base of the trolley (100) according to the invention, as the complete extraction of the arms (32) of the four wheels (6) will produce the effect of widening to the maximum extent the supporting base of the trolley (100), rendering it less subject to the risk of accidental overturning.

On the contrary, it will be useful to fully insert the arms (32) inside the respective housing seats (20) every time the "perimeter" size of the wheels (6) is to be minimised, such as when it is necessary to place a trolley (100) according to the invention inside an underlying identical second trolley ( 00), that is to say, during the stacking of several of these trolleys.

The trolley (100) comprises retaining means (34) associated with each wheel (6).

The retaining means (34) are connected to the platform (5) and to the wheel (6) in such a way as to move the wheel (6) from a proximal position, shown in Figures 2 and 5, wherein the wheel (6) is close to the platform (5), to a distal position, shown in Figures 1 and 4, wherein the wheel (6) is far from the platform (5).

The platform (5) comprises a number of seats (20) equal to the number of wheels (6) of the trolley. Each seat (20) of the platform (5) is delimited by a side wall (21) and by a bottom wall (22). The seat (20) receives the retaining means (34) associated with each wheel (6).

The retaining means (34) comprise a bar (32) connected to the wheel (6) and spring means (33) positioned inside the seat (20) of the platform (5). The bar (32) is mounted in a slidable fashion in the seat (20), in such a way that the seat (20) can act as a guide for the bar (32).

The spring means (33) are connected to the bar (32) and to the bottom wall (22) of the seat (20) of the platform (5). The spring means (33) are configured in such a way as to push the wheel (6) connected to the bar (32) to a distal position relative to the platform (5).

As shown in Figure 6, when a first trolley is inserted inside a second trolley, the wheels (6) of the first trolley come into contact with the side panels (12) of the container (1) of the second trolley. As result, the wheels (6) of the first trolley are pushed towards the platform (5) against the action of the spring means (33), compressing the spring means (33) in the seat (20) of the platform (5). In that way, the wheels (6) of the first trolley are pushed close to the platform (5) of the first trolley, allowing the stacking of the first trolley on the second trolley.

Alternatively, the retaining means (34) may comprise a linear actuator connected to the platform (5) and to the wheel (6). The linear actuator might be, for example, a cylinder-piston unit. Alternatively, the retaining means (34) may comprise a telescopic rod connected to the wheel (6) and elastic means connected to the telescopic rod.

_ _. ln_o_rder_. to_.make the trolley (100) more stable, if, more specifically, ^~ the basket is positioned at the upper limit position, in a variant embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the platform (5) is inclined relative to a reference line (L) parallel to the ground on which the wheels (6) rest.

With reference to the ground, the inclination of the platform (5) is determined by a height of the rear wheels (6a) which is greater than the height of the front wheels (6b). The term "rear wheels" (6a) means the two wheels (6) which are aligned with each other referring to the rear longitudinal edge (5a) of the platform (5) from which extends the load-bearing structure (S) of the basket (100). The term "front wheels" (6b) means the two wheels (6a) which are aligned with each other which are positioned along the front longitudinal edge (5b) of the platform (5), opposite the rear longitudinal edge (5a) of the platform (5).

Figures 8 and 9 shows a second embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, denoted in its entirety with the numeral 200.

The lifting means (M) of the trolley (200) comprise two pantograph mechanisms (207), connected below the platform (5) and above the basket (1).

More specifically, each pantograph mechanism (207) comprises a first lever (271 ), a second lever (272) and a pin (P) which connects the first lever (271) and the second lever (272) to each other in such a way as to form an "X". The levers (271 , 272) comprise an upper end (271a, 272a) connected to the basket (1 ) and a lower end (271 b, 272b) connected to the rectangular platform (5).

The first lever (271) comprises a pin (P1 ) which rotatably connects the lower end (271b) of the first lever (271) to the platform (5). The second lever (272) comprises a pin (P2) which rotatably connects the upper end (272a) of the second lever (272) to the basket (1).

The basket (1) comprises two grooves (C1) made on the bottom panel (2) and facing downwards. The platform (5) comprises two grooves (C2), which-face upwards and which are opposite-the grooves (Ct) of the basket

(1). The pantograph mechanism (207) comprises sliding means (R), such as, for example, wheels, inserted inside the grooves (C1 , C2) to allow the sliding of the levers (271 , 272) inside the grooves (C1 , C2) of the basket (1) and of the platform (5).

More specifically, a wheel is fixed to the first end (271a) of the first lever (271) in such a way that the first end (271a) of the first lever (271) can slide inside the groove (C1) of the basket (1 ) and a wheel is fixed to the second end (272b) of the second lever (272) in such a way that the second end (272b) of the second lever (272) can slide inside the groove (C2) of the platform (5).

Each pantograph mechanism (207) comprises stop means, which are not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, such as, for example, an inlet in a bottom wall of the grooves (C1 , C2). The wheels are designed to insert in the inlet, in such a way as to block the sliding of the wheels in the grooves (C1 , C2). The inlet allows the lifting of the basket (1 ) to be blocked relative to the platform (5) and the spontaneous return of the basket (1) to its lower limit position to be prevented.

In order to raise the basket (1), it is necessary to apply a force on the basket (1) upwards and a force in the opposite direction on the platform (5), in such a way as to move the pantograph mechanisms (207) for opening.

Simultaneously, the wheels connected to the levers (271 , 272) of the pantograph mechanisms (207) slide in the grooves (C1 , C2) until moving into the inlet of the grooves (C1 , C2).

The movement of the levers (271 , 272) allows the lifting of the basket (1) relative to the platform (5).

In order to lower the basket (1), it is necessary to apply a force on the basket (1) facing towards the platform (5), in such a way as to move the pantograph mechanisms (207) for closing.

The wheels connected to the levers (271 , 272) of the pantograph mechanisms (207) protrude from the inlets of the grooves (C1 , C2) and slide in the grooves (C1 , C2) until the basket (1 ) makes contact above the platform (5).

Even if not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the trolley (200) can be equipped with a footboard fixed to the platform (5). The footboard is designed to be stepped on by a user during the lifting of the basket to apply a force downwards on the platform (5). Even if not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the trolley (200) may comprise wheels extractable from the platform (5) for widening the supporting base of the trolley, in such a way as to improve the stability of the trolley (200).

Even if not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the trolley (200) may comprise a handle to facilitate movement of the trolley.

Even though the accompanying drawings show two pantograph mechanisms, the trolley (200) could be equipped with a single pantograph mechanism or more than two pantograph mechanisms.